Sulfonyl group containing compounds and their use for the treatment of erectile dysfunction

Abstract

A compound having the general formula (I): wherein: X is N or C; R 0 is H, a lower alkyl group, a lower O-alkyl group, lower alkyl group, a benzyl group, a phenyl group, a heterocyclic amine group, a cycloalkyl group, a cycloalkyl group substituted with O-alkyl or, a furyl group; R 1 and R 2 are, independently, H, an amine group, a lower alkyl group, a lower O-alkyl group, a lower S-alkyl group or a lower N-alkyl group, or R 1 and R 2 taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form a five-membered carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring, where the heteroatoms of the heterocyclic ring are one or two oxygen atoms, and/or where any substituent on said carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring is chosen from O, S and N; n is 0,1,2,3 or 4; m is 0 or 1; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; with the proviso that said compound is not 1-[(4-methoxyphenyl)sulfonyl]piperazine or 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylsulfonyl)piperazine. The compounds are useful as active ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions and as a medicament for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

1. A compound having the general formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein 
       X is N; 
       R 0  is H, a lower alkyl group, a lower O-alkyl group, 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       lower alkyl group,
 a benzyl group, a phenyl group, a phenyl group substituted with halogen or O-alkyl, a saturated heterocyclic amine group having two nitrogen atoms, a cycloalkyl group, a cycloalkyl group substituted with O-alkyl, and a furyl group; 
 R 1  and R 2  taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form an unsubstituted five-membered heterocyclic ring, where the heteroatoms of the heterocyclic ring are one or two oxygen atoms; 
 n is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; 
 m is 0 or 1; 
 and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; 
 with the proviso that said compound is not 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylsulfonyl)piperazine. 
 
     
     
       2. A compound according to  claim 1 , wherein R 0  is H, methyl, methoxy or ethoxy. 
     
     
       3. A compound according to  claim 1 , wherein R 1  and R 2  taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form an unsubstituted five-membered heterocyclic ring that has two oxygen atoms. 
     
     
       4. A compound according to  claim 1 , wherein said compound is: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
       5. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to  claim 1  or  4  as an active ingredient together with a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, diluent, excepient or carrier. 
     
     
       6. A method for treatment of erectile dysfunction, comprising administering to an animal or human suffering from erectile dysfunction a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to  claim 1 .